Patrick Fenwick said he remembers when rabbits outnumbered students at Sacramento State and when the Hornets football team used to win games.

Fenwick, Arden Park Recreation and District manager and a former parks and recreation studies major 45 years ago, was honored for his distinguished service during Thursday night’s 20th Annual Alumni Distinguished Service Awards at the Sac State Alumni Center.

Also among the honorees were Jack Bertolucci, Jack Higdon, Theresa Parker, Randall Reynoso and Rene Syler, who received Distinguished Service Awards. Marilyn Hopkins received the Faculty Achievement Award and Bill Campbell received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Syler, a psychology major from 1987, is an anchor on CBS’ “The Early Show.”

“When the Alumni Association contacted me for this award, I thought ‘Did they check my transcript’ and ‘Do I still have some unpaid parking tickets?'” Syler joked.

Hopkins, the Dean of the College of Health and Human Services since fall 2000, received the distinguished faculty award.

Campbell, Sac State women’s tennis coach, received the Lifetime Achievement Award for donating and supporting Hornet athletics. In 1988, he received the Distinguished Service Award.

Since 2000, only two Lifetime Achievement Awards have been awarded ?” one to the late mayor of Sacramento, Joseph Serna Jr. and one to Sacramento area developer Angelo Tsakopolous.

With the purchase of a $100 per person ticket, guests at the event were treated to champagne, appetizers, a three-course meal and a chance to revisit their alma mater.

The proceeds of the event went towards the Alumni Association Life Member Scholarship fund.

Jamie Gonzalez can be reached at [email protected]